Bottle carrier and paperboard blank for forming same



United States Patent [72] lnventor GroverC.Currie 4, Richmond Square, Euclid, Ohio 44143 [21] AppLNo. 734,988 [22] Filed June6,1968 [45] Patented Dec.15,1970

[54] BOTTLE CARRIER AND PAPERBOARD BLANK FOR FORMING SAME 16 Claims, Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl. 220/113; 229/52, 229/ [51] 1nt.C1 ..B65d75/00 FieldofSearch 229/52Bc, 40, 23; 206/C; 220/109, 113,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,981,647 11/1934 Johnson 220/109X 2,284,682 6/1942 Powell 229/23(B) 2,718,997 9/1955 Shuxteau.. 229/52(B) 2,722,365 11/1955 Phipps 229/40 2,758,711 8/1956 Manners... 220/115 2,975,934 3/1961 Powell 229/52(B) Primary E.taminerDavid M. Bockenek Att0rneys-Channing L. Richards, Dalbert U. Shefte and Francis M. Pinckney ABSTRACT: A bottle carrier of the base and band type wherein the base component is formed from a continuous elongated paperboard blank divided by transverse fold lines into a continuous integral bottom panel, a connecting panel secured in folded face-to-face relation to said bottom panel, a partition panel extending integrally from the connecting panel and folded to an upstanding bottle-separating disposition with respect to the bottom panel, and the blank having a portion for attachment thereto of a bottle-encircling band component. An intermediate pane] extends integrally from the upper edge of the aforementioned partition panel parallel to the bottom panel for bottle separation thereat and for integral extension therefrom of an additional upstanding partition panel spaced by the intermediate panel from the first-mentioned partition panel and secured by an end tab to the bottom panel. The bottle carrier provides necessary bottle separation in a sturdy construction that is simply fabricated from a minimum of paperboard.

PATENTED nan 5 I970 sum 1 OF '5 R O T N E V m GROVER c. cunma v ATTORNEYS PATENTED um 51970 35471310 INVENTOR 3RVR C. CURREE ATTORNEYS PATENTED 0501 5 i971 SHEET 3 OF 5 INVENTOR fiflovafi c. CURRIE ATTORNEYS PATENTEI] m 1 5 1970 3547.310

SHEET 5 DE 5 324 33 6 @WOV ER C. CURRIE EMMA/as (I-'5 v ATTOR avs BOTTLE CARRIER AND PAPERBOARD BLANK FOR FORMING SAME BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION can be used for the band component than is necessary for the bottle-supporting base component and the merchandising printing need be applied only to one sideof the band component and not at all to the base component, which need not be bleached or otherwise treated for appearance as it is primarily hidden by the band component and bottles.

The necessary characteristics of the base component are sufficient strength to support the bottles and a configuration that provides adequate bottle separation, preferably in the form of a plurality of upstanding partition panels that separate the bottles in rows. Heretofore, base components of the wraparound type have been used to obtain the strength of a continuous integral bottom panel, but these lack the advantage of upright partition panels and do not include any intermediate reinforcement of the bottom panel. An example of such a wraparound base component is disclosed in Brogden U.S. Pat. No. 3,361,926. Another type of base component is disclosed in French Pat. No. l,354,l79, which discloses a base component that is folded to provide a partition panel that undesirably interrupts the extent of the bottom panel and provides only a single partition.

All of the prior art lacks a base component construction that provides adequate bottle-supporting strength and bottle separation with a minimum of paperboard that can be' easily folded and secured to form the ultimate bottle carrier.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides the advantages that are lacking in the prior art by utilizing a basecomponent having an integral continuous bottom panel and an upstanding partition panel that is secured at the bottom panel for intermediate reinforcement thereof, and preferably including an additional partition panel similarly disposed at a spacing from the first partition panel to provide a plurality of bottle-separating partition panels. This base component is advantageously formed from a single paperboard blank in the forrn of an elongated continuous strip divided by transverse fold lines into sequential sections that are folded to provide the continuous integral bottom panel, a connecting panel that is secured in face-toface contact to the bottom panel, and a partition panel that extends upwardly from the connecting panel, with a portion of the strip being provided'for attachment of the band com ponent.

In the preferred embodiment, the blank strip includes additional sequential sections that provide an intermediate panel and an additional or second partition panel, with the intermediate panel extending from the first partition panel as a further means of separating bottles, as a handle, and as a means for spacing the additional partition panel from the first partition panel, which additional partition panel extends downwardly from the intermediate panel and terminates with an end tab that is secured to the bottom panel.

As the panel forming sections are sequentially disposed in a strip blank a minimum of board is used, and as the sections are at the adjacent edge of the bottom panel, and an additional attaching tab is similarly formed from a blank section at the opposite edge of the bottom panel with the portions transversely adjacent the additional attaching tab being foldable onto and secured in face-to-face contact to the bottom panel as reinforcing tabs.

If desired, the bottom panel, intermediate panel, and band component may be formed with transverse fold lines in a common central plane for collapsing of the carrier into a flat disposition for compact storage, shipment or handling when not containing bottles.

In addition to the bottle separation provided bythe partition panels, further bottle separation is provided by divider flaps formed I for outward folding from the partition panels for disposition between bottles. These divider flaps may preferably be folded from the partition panels along transverse fold lines for extension generally parallel to the bottom panel for separation of the bottles at the necks thereof, such extension may be at a slight outward inclination to avoid reduction of the partition panel material as it converges toward the narrower intermediate panel. Further, the outer portions of these divider flaps may be enlarged laterally beyond the bottle engagement for enhanced bottle separation and retention.

Alternatively, this further bottle separation can be obtained by using a separate flat divider panel extending perpendicular to the partition panels through slots cut in the partition panels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bottle carrier of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown with bottles disposedtherein;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the base component of the bottle carrier of FIG. 1, shown in setup disposition without bottles and with the location of the band component indicated by dotted lines;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the bottle carrier of FIG. 1 with the location of bottles indicated by dotted lines;

FIG. 4 is aside elevational view of the base component of a FIG. 2, shown partially set up;

defined by transverse fold lines the base component can be FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of FIG.-

7, shown fully collapsed;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a flat paperboard blank fabricated for forming the base component of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an additional alternative embodiment of the base component of the bottle carrier of the present invention incorporating a separate divider panel, and showing the band component in dotted lines;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a flat paperboard blank fabricated for forming the base component of the embodiment of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a flat paperboard blank fabricated for use as the divider panel in the embodiment of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a further alternative embodiment of the base component of the bottle carrier of the present invention, showing the band component in dotted lines; and 7 FIG. 15 is a plan view of a flat paperboard blank fabricated for forming the base component of the embodiment of FIG. 14.

DESCRIPTION OFTHE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT in the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-6. the bottle carrier consists of a bottle supporting base component 21 and a separate bottle encircling band component 22 attached to the base component 21 to provide a container for six bottles 23 arranged in three rows with two bottles in each row.

The base component 21 comprises a bottle-supporting tom panel 24 of continuous integral construction and ot a width and length sufficient to extend substantially fully under the arrangement of bottles 23. and a pair of parallel. spaced. upright partition panels 25 and 26 located between the rows of bottles 23 and extending upwardly from the bottom panel 24 tonearthetopsofthebottiea. I

Thefirstpartitionpaneluofthepairissecuredatthebottom panel 24 by a connecting panel 27 that is integrally folded from an edge of the bottom panel in V face-to-facs contact therewith and secured thereto by adhesive. and from which connecting panel 27 the first partition panel 25 extends integrally from an edge opposite the edge at which the connecting panel 27 is folded from the bottom panel 24.

The second partition panel 26 of the pair is connected to the first partition panel 25 in spaced relation thereto by an'intermediate panel 28 that extends integrally from the upwardly ulterior edge of thelirst partition panel'ZS to the upwardly ulterior edge of the second partition panel 26. This intermediate panel 23 is centrally disposed in parallel relation with respect to the bottom panel 24 and is of a width sufficient to engage and separate the adjacent bottles 23 at the necks or upper ends thereof. As it is locatedcentrally at the top of the bottle carrier 20, it also serves conveniently as a handle therefor.

The second partition panel 26 extends integrally downward. from the edge of the intermediate panel 28 opposite the edge at the first partition panel 25, to the bottom panel 24. to which it is secured by an end tab 29 folded integrally from the lower end of the second partition panel 26 and secured by adhesive in face-to-face contact to the bottom panel 24.

For full strengthening and bottle separating. the partition panels 23 and 26 are substantially coextensive laterally with the bottom panel 24; also for strengthening, the connecting panel 27 and and tab 29 extend substantially laterally coextensive with the bottom panel 24. which is particularly significant in regard to the connecting panel 27 as it reinforces the comer portion of the bottom panel 24.

in addition to the separation of the bottles 23 by the intermediate panel 28. separation of the bottles in the outer rows is provided by divider flaps 30 cut from the partition panels 25 and 26 and loldable upwardly therefrom along transverse fold lines for extension generally parallel to the bottom panel and of widths sufficient to effect separating engagement of the bottle neclts. in the embodiment illustrated. these divider flaps 30 are disposed at a slight outward inclination so that the divider lisp forming cuts in the partition panels 25 and 26 can be located low enough to avoid weakening of the panels in the areas where they converge inwardly to the width of the intermediate panel 28 and so as to enhance bottle separation by an increased downward bias on the tabs due to their inclination. The outer portions 31 of the divider flaps 30 beyond the bottle necks are enlarged laterally for enhanced bottle engagement and retention.

The base component 21 is further formed with an attaching tab 32 cut from the connecting panel 27 at spacings from the lateral edges thereof and extending integrallyfrom the connecting panel edge of the bottom panel 24 in upstanding disposition for attachment by adhesive or otherwise of the band component 22 thereto. An additional attaching tab 33 is similarly formed for upstanding band component attaching extension from the edge of the bottom panel 24 opposite the edge from which the first-mentioned attaching tab 32 extends. Laterally adjacent this additional attaching tab 33 are reinforcing tabs 34 foldably extending from the bottom panel and separated by slits from the additional attaching tab 33. These reinforcing tabs 34 are folded and secured by adhesive in faceto-face contact with the bottom panel 24 to provide desirable corner reinforcements.

The attaching tabs 32 and 33 extend upward StlmClcnLiy to provide adequate attachment of the band component 22 at a spacing from the bottom panel 24 above the rounded bottom edges of the bottles 23. with the band component 22 extending asan upstanding wall in a closed loop tightly encircling the arrangement of bottles 23 and conforming to the curvature of the bottles at the'corners of the arrangement.

The band component 22 is of a height sufficient to provide adequate strength and desired printing area, and is secured in bottle encircling disposition by overlapping ends 35 secu red together by adhesive. 7

The configuration of band components 22 may be varied to suit desired merchandising purposes, and the bottle-encirclin extent thereof may vary to encircle bottles of different sizes. I n the latter regard, different size band components 22 may be used with a single size base component 21 as the base component 2! will accommodate a limited range of bottle sizes, a limited variation in the overhang of the bottles laterally beyond the edges of the bottom panel 24 of the base component 21 not affecting the utility of the carrier. and the attaching tabs 32 and 33 accommodating size variations at the ends. Thus. a stock of base components 21 of a single size will be sufficient to fabricate bottle carriers from separate stocks of band components 22 for different size bottles.

To accommodatefurther such bottle size variations an avoid extension of the base component 2,1 beyond the periphery of the bottle arrangement. the peripheral corners 36 of the bottom panel 24. connecting panel 27. and reinforcing tabs 34 are relieved as illustrated.

The band component 22 is fabricated from a single flat paperboard blank 37 of elongated rectangular-shape having opposite ends 35. at one of which securing tab 38 is formed for overlapping securement to the other end. A transverse fold line 39 is formed along the inner edge of the securing tab 38 and a central transverse fold line 40 divides the blank 37 between the securing tab fold line 39 and the other end of the blank into equal sections such that when the band component blank 37 is assembled with the ends secured in overlapping relation it can be collapsed along the fold lines 39 and 40 in n list disposition for compact storing. shipping. and handling.

The base component 21 is fabricated from u paperboard blank 41 that is in the form of an elongated continuous strip divided by aseries of spaced transverse fold lines 42. 43, 44.

45. 46. and 47 into an integral sequence of panel-forming scctions 48. 49. 50. Si, 52. 53 and 54. The first section 48. which is an additional section extending from the bottom of the blank 4! as seen in FIG. 5. is formed with a pair of spaced slits 55 extending the full length thereof and defining thercbctwecn the aforementioned additional attaching tab 33. which is foldably connected to the second section 49 at the first fold line 42. The portions of the first section 48 laterally outward of the slits 55 form the aforementioned reinforcing tabs 34. which are foldable along the first fold line 46 into facc-to-facc contact with the second panel-forming section 49.

The lengthwise extent of this first section 48 is slightly less than the diameter of a bottle 23 so that the reinforcing tabs 34- will not extend into interference with the subsequent positioning of the second partition panel 26 on the bottom panel 24.

I The second panel-fanning section 49 is fabricated to form the aforementioned bottom panel 24 and is of a length, as defined by the first and second transverse fold lines 42 and 43.- approximately equivalent to the sum of the diameters of thrcc' bottles 23 for full extension under the bottle arrangement. and is of a width generally" equivalent to the sum of two bottle diameters. but preferably slightly less than this sum for conservation of board as it is not necessary for the bottom panel 24 to extend fully widthwise under the rounded bottoms of the bottles for adequate support thereof. I

The third panel-forming section 50 is defined by the second and third transverse fold lines 43 and 44. respectively. it is of a length approximately equivalent to one-third the length of the bottom panel forming section 49 for proper one-bottle spacing of the first partition panel 25 inwardly of the bottom panel edge, and is equivalent in width to the bottom panel-forming section 40 for folding into laterally coextensive face-to-face contact therewith.

This third panel-forming section 50 forms the aforementioned connecting panel 27 and has a U-shaped cut 56 therein extending from the second fold line 43 intermediate the ends thereof less than the full length of the section to define the aforementioned attaching tab 32, which is foldable along the second transverse fold line 43 to an upstanding disposition with respect to the bottom panel 26.

As seen in FIG. 5, the first or reinforcing tab-forming section 48, the second or bottom panel-forming section 49, and the third or connecting panel-forming section 50 have their corners 36 beveled at the first and second fold lines 42 and 43, respectively, to form the aforementioned beveled corners 36 of the bottle carrier 20.

The fourth panel-forming section 51 is defined by the third and fourth fold lines 4-4 and 45, respectively, and is of a length approximately equivalent to or slightly less than the height of the bottles 23 to form the aforementioned first partition panel 25. Over a major portion of its length it is laterally coextensive with the bottom panel-forming section 49 with its side edges converging, as at 57, to the desired bottle-spacing width of the intermediate panel 28 at the fourth fold line 45.

This first partition panel-forming section 51 has a generally U-shaped cut 58 therein extending toward, but substantially spaced from, the third fold line 44 from a short transverse fold line 59 centrally located with respect to the sides of the blank 41. This fold line 59 and the cut 58 have a lateral extent equivalent to the spacing between adjacent .bottle necks and they combine to form one of the aforementioned divider flaps 30, with the base 60 of the U-shaped cut being enlarged laterally to form the enlarged outer portion 31 of the flap 30. The fold line 59 is located a sufficient distance from the fourth transverse fold line 45 to avoid undesirable weakening of the first partition panel-forming section 51 adjacent the converging edges 57 thereof, which may require a slight inclination of the divider flap 30 in assuming its bottle-separating disposi tion.

Defined between the fourth and fifth transverse fold line lines 45 and 46, respectively, is the fifth panel-forming section 52, which is of a length equivalent to the diameter ofa bottle, or one-third the length of the bottom panel-forming section 49, and ofa width equivalent to the spacing between the tops or the necks of adjacent bottles, such that this fifth section forms the aforementioned intermediate panel 28.

Extending longitudinally from this fifth or intermediate panel-forming section 52 between the fifth and sixth fold lines 46 and 47, respectively, is the sixth panel-forming section 53, which is symmetrically identical, in longitudinal reverse, to the first partition panel-forming section 51, being of the same length and width and having symmetrically identical converg ing edges 61, and divider flap forming U-shaped cut 62 and fold line 63. Thus, this sixth section 53-forms the aforementioned second partition panel 26.

Extending longitudinally from the sixth transverse fold line 47 and laterally coextensive with the second partition panelforming section 53 is the seventh panel-forming section 54, which forms the aforementioned end tab 29. The length of this end tab-forming section 54 is sufiicient to provide adequate securement to the bottom panel 24 while being substantially less than the equivalent of a bottle diameter.

This base component blank 41 is folded and secured to form an assembled base component 21 by first folding the blank along the fifth fold line &6 to dispose the second partition panel-forming section 53 and the end tab-forming section 54 flat on top of the intermediate panel-forming section 52 and first partition panel-forming section 51, and then applying a coating of adhesive 64 on the top surface of the reinforcing tab-forming portions 34, connecting panel-forming portion 27, and end tab-forming section 54. The first section 48 is then folded over onto the second section 49 to secure the reinforcing tabs 34 to the bottom panel 24 and dispose the additional attaching tab 33 temporarily flat on the bottom panel, and the blank is folded along the second transverse fold line 43 to secure the connecting panel 27 and end tab 29 to the bottom panel 24 and dispose all of the sections in a partially assembled flat disposition for convenient storing, shipping and handling.

The flat, partially folded blank 41 is set up, as shown in FIG. 4, by raising the partition panels 25 and 26 to an upstanding disposition, pushing the divider flaps 30 outwardly, and, through access holes 65 in the bottom panel 24, pushing the attaching tab 32 and additional attaching tab 33 to upstanding dispositions.

As so set up, the assembled base component 21 is self-supporting and may be readily loaded with bottles in the afore mentioned arrangement, following which the bottle carrier is completed by sliding the band component 22 over the bottle arrangement and securing it in place at the attaching tabs 32 and 33.

In the alternative embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7-10, the bottle carrier is identical to the bottle carrier 20 of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, with the exception of a modified divider flap arrangement and the inclusion of a collapsing feature. In FIGS. 710, the elements that are identical to those of the embodiment of FIGS. 16 are designated by reference numerals of the 100 series corresponding to the reference numerals of the identical elements of FIGS. l6, and reference is made to the preceding detailed description to avoid repetition.

The modified divider flaps 101 of this alternative embodiment are substitutes for the divider flaps 30 of the preceding embodiment, but are similar in that they are formed in the partition panels 125 and 126. They differ, however, in that they are of the butterfly type, being hinged at centrally located vertical hinge lines 102 for pivoting of each divider flap 101 to dispose a portion 103 on one side of the hinge line in bottleseparating disposition between bottles in the adjacent outer row of bottles and to dispose a corresponding portion 104 on the other side of the hinge line in bottle-separating disposition between bottles in the inner row of bottles.

The hinge lines 102 have portions connected to the partition panels 125 and 126 as a result of a difference in the vertical extent of the divider flap portions 103 and 104 thereat, and the divider flap portions are symmetrical in vertical reverse so that their outer edges 105 and 106 are vertically coextensive for suitable bottleseparating location. Further, these outer edges 105 and 106 are located at spacings from the hinge lines 102 slightly greater than one-half the diameter of a bottle for disposition between abutting bottle locations and are formed in a zigzag configuration so that the partition panels and 126 from which they are cut will have remaining therein portions 107 at bottle contacting locations to separate bottles of adjacent rows.

As seen in FIG. 10, the modified divider flaps 101 are formed by cuts 108 in the first partition panel-forming section 151 and second partition panel-forming section 153, respectively, of the base component-forming blank 141.

The particular shape and vertical location of these divider flaps 101 may be varied as desired to suit different sizes and shapes of bottles, and as these flaps separate the bottles of the inner row as well as the outer rows the intermediate panel 128 need not be dimensioned or located for use as a bottle separatOl.

The collapsing feature of the embodiment of FIGS. 7-10 is obtained by providing a central transverse fold line 109 in the bottom panel 124 and a central transverse fold line 110 in the intermediate panel 123, and attaching the band component 122 so that the fold lines 139 and 140 thereof are centrally located in the same common plane as the bottom and intermediate panel central fold lines 109 and 110. With this arrangement, the bottle carrier 100 can be collapsed to a flat disposition by upward foldingbfthe bottom panel 124 about its central fold line 109, downward folding of the intermediate panel 128 with respect to its central fold line 1 10 and a flattening of the band component 122 by folding at its fold lines 139 and 140. This collapsed disposition of the bottle carrier 100 is illustrated in FIG. 9, and a partially collapsed disposition is illustrated in FIG. 8.

This collapsing feature may be included in any of the other embodiments, but for simplicity is illustrated and described herein only in the embodiment of FIGS. 7l0.

In the additional alternative embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 11-13, the bottle carrier 200 is identical to the bottle carrier 20 of the embodiment of FIGS. l6, with the exception of a divider panel arrangement in place of the divider flaps 30 of the FIGS. l6 embodiment. In FIGS. 11-13 the elements that are identical to those of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 are designated by reference numerals of the 200 series corresponding to the reference numerals of the identical elements of FIGS. 16, and reference is made to the preceding description of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 to avoid repetition.

The divider panel arrangement of the embodiment of FIGS. 11--13 comprises a paperboard divider panel 201 of rectangular shape that is disposed uprightly along the longitudinal centerline of the bottle carrier 200 perpendicular to the partition panels 225 and 226 for separation of adjacent bottles in each of the three bottle rows. The length of the divider panel 201 is slightly less than the length of the bottom panel 224 for convenient assembly and proper bottle-separating disposition, and its upright extent is sufficient to provide reliable bottle separation. 1

The divider panel 201 is formed separately from the base component 221 and band component 222 andis held in its upright disposition by the partition panels 225 and 226, which are formed with central vertical slots through which the divider panel 201 extends. These slots 202 are formed longitudinally along the centerline of the base component-forming blank 241, in which they extend in the partition panel-forming sections 251 and 253 from the fold lines 244 and 247 at the section bases a longitudinal distance slightly greater than the upstanding extent of the divider panel 201.

In assembling the bottle carrier 200 of the embodiment of FIGS. 1113, the divider panel 201 is inserted in the setup base component 221 before the band component 222 is attached.

In the further alternative embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, the bottle carrier 300 is similar to the bottle carrier 20 of the embodiment of FIGS. 16, but modified to contain four bottles arranged in two rows of two bottles per row and modified further in the divider flap arrangement. In FIGS. 14 and 15 the elements that correspond to those of the embodiment of FIGS. l--6 are designated by reference numerals of the 300 series corresponding to the reference numerals of the corresponding elements of FIGS. 16, and for simplicity description is omitted of the constructions that are identical to that of FIGS. 1-6.

In the bottle carrier 300 of the embodiment of FIGS. 14 and 15, the bottom panel 324 has a length corresponding to the sum of the diameters of two bottles, the intermediate panel and associated fifth transverse fold line of the preceding embodiments are eliminated so that the second partition panel 326 extends integrally directly from the upwardly ulterior edge of the first partition panel 325 and is folded in face'toface contact therewith toform a single partition 301 of double thickness,'and the end tab 329 is secured to the bottom panel 324 outwardly of the partition 301, which is the reverse of the 302 folded outwardly along hifig lines 303 at the vertical centerline of the partition 301. Each divider flap 302 has an enlarged outer end 304 disposed at and slightly beyond the location of contact of adjacent bottles for separation thereof. Further, the divider flap 302 formed from one of the partition panels 325 and 326 is foldable therefrom from the other side of the vertical centerline and the divider flap formed from the other partition panel is foldable therefrom from the other side of the vertical centerline so that each partition panel extends continuously across the area from which the divider flap in the other partition panel is formed, thereby providing separation of bottles in one row from those in the other row regardless of the extent of board folded from the partition panels in forming the divider flaps.

As seen in FIG. 15 the divider flaps 302 are formed in the partition panel-forming sections 351 and 353 of the base component-forming blank 361 by U-shaped cuts 305 extending laterally from the central vertical hinge lines 303 with the sides of the cut diverging to form the enlarged outer ends 304 and with the cut in one section extending in the opposite lateral direction from the extent of the cut in the other section.

Further, this FIGS. 14 and 15 embodiment conveniently and advantageously utilizes the strong partition panel construction additionally as a handle, having a pair of finger holes 357 formed in each partition panel'325 and 326 adjacent the upper ends thereof by cutting and upturning of tabs 361 therein, and the partition panels are not upwardly tapered as in the other embodiments.

This use of the partition panels as a part of a handle structure as in the FIGS. 14 and 15 embodiment and as in use of the partition panels as supports for the intermediate handle-serving panel in the other embodiments is of particular advantage in the present invention as the handle support is thus connected by the partition panel to the center of the bottom panel and requires no connection to the band component, with the result that the band component, with the result that the band component need not be of sufficiently sturdy construction to provide strength for the handle structure.

It should also be noted that in the illustrated embodiments the connecting tabs are formed at the ends of the bottom panel, which is preferable from the standpoint of conservation of board, but for strengthening purposes or otherwise these attaching tabs could as well be formed along the sides of the bottom panel.

Further, it should be noted that the bottle carrier at the present invention could be adapted for carrying various numbers of bottles by simply increasing the widthwise extent and adding divider tabs or panels. Thus, the embodiments of FIGS. l-13 could be doubled in width to carry 12 bottles instead of 6.

Other variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited specifically to the exemplary embodiments illustrated and described in detail herein.

lclaim:

1. A bottle carrier comprising a bottle-supporting base component having a continuous integral bottom panel for support of a plurality of bottles thereon, a connecting panel integrally extending from an edge of said bottom panel inwardly thereof and secured thereto in face-to-face relation, and a partition panel integrally extending from said connecting panel in upstanding relation to. said bottom panel for separating bottles supported on said bottom panel, and a bottle retaining band component attacheddosaid base component in bottle-encircling disposition.

2. A bottle carrier according to claim 1 and characterized further in that said partition panel extends integrally from an edge of said connecting panel opposite said bottom panel 4 edge. I

3. A bottle carrier according to claim 1 and characterized further by an attaching tab formed from said connecting panel and upstanding integrally from said bottom panel at said edge thereof, said attaching tab being secured to said band component to attach said band component to said base component.

4. A bottle carrier according to claim 1 and characterized further by another partition panel integrally connected to said first-mentioned partition panel in fa ce-to-face relation thereto.

5. A bottle carrier according to claim 4 and characterized further in that said another partition panel extends coextensively with said first-mentioned partition-panel and integrally from the edge of said first-mentioned partition panel opposite the edge that is at said connecting panel, and said another partition panel has an end tab extending integrally therefrom and secured in face-to-face relation to said bottom panel.

6. A bottle carrier according to claim 4 and characterized further by divider flaps formed from said partition panels and extending integrally therefrom to provide additional separation of bottles supported on said bottom panel, and in that said divider flaps extend from said partition panels at fold lines that are generally parallel to said bottom panel.

7. A bottle carrier according to claim 4 and characterized further by divider flaps formed from said partition panels and extending integrally therefrom to provide additional separation of bottles supported on said bottom panel, and in that said divider flaps extend from said partition panels at a slight upward inclination.

8. A bottle carrier comprising a bottle-supporting base component having a continuous integral bottom panel for support of a plurality of bottles thereon, a connecting panel integrally extending from an edge of said bottom panel inwardly thereof and secured thereto in face-to-face relation, a first partition panel integrally extending from said connecting panel in upstanding relation to said bottom panel, and a second partition panel integrally extending from said first partition panel in spaced face-to-face relation thereto, said partition panels providing separation of bottles supported on said bottom panel, and a bottle-retaining band component attached to said base component in bottle-encircling disposition.

9. A bottle carrier according to claim 8 and characterized further in that said bottom panel and said band component are formed with intermediate fold lines in a common plane parallel to and intermediate said partition panels for foldably collapsing said carrier to a flat disposition.

10. A paperboard blank for forming a bottle-supporting base component of a base and band-type bottle carrier, said blank comprising an elongated continuous strip divided by transverse fold lines into an integral sequence of panel-forming sections, said sections including in sequence a bottom panel-forming section, a connecting panel-forming section foldable into face-to-face disposition with respect to said bottom panel-forming section, and a partition panel-forming section foldable to an upright disposition with respect to said bottom panel-forming section, and said strip having a portion provided for subsequent attachment of a bottle carrier band component thereto.

11. A paperboard blank according to claim 10 and characterized further in that said portion for subsequent attachment of a band component is an attaching tab-forming portion cut from said connecting panel-forming section and extending from the fold line at said bottom panel-forming section.

12. A paperboard blank according to claim 11 and characterized further by an additional section extending from a transverse fold line at said bottom panel-forming section to provide an additional attaching tab for subsequent attachment of a bottle carrier band component.

13. A paperboard blank according to claim 10 and characterized further in that said bottom panel-forming section is formed with an intermediate transverse fold line to permit subsequent folding for fiat collapsing of a bottle carrier formed from said blank.

14. A paperboard blank according to claim 10 and characterized further in that said sections include a second partition panelforming section sequentially extending from said firstmentioned partition panel-forming section.

15. A paperboar blank for orming a bottle-supporting base component of a bottle carrier, said blank comprising an elongated continuous strip divided by transverse fold lines into an integral sequence of panel-forming sections, said sections including in sequence a bottom panel-forming section, a connecting panel-forming section, a first partition panel-forming section, an intermediate panel-forming section, and a second partition panel-forming section.

16. A paperboard blank according to claim 15 and characterized further in that said bottom panel-forming section, connecting panel-forming section, first partition panel-forming section, and second partition panel-forming section are substantially coextensive, said connecting panel-forming section and said intermediate panel-forming section are each of a length approximately one-third the length of said bottom panel-forming section, and said bottom panel-forming section and said intermediate panel-forming section are each formed with a centrally located transverse fold line for folding therealong to collapse a bottle carrier formed from said blank to a flat disposition. 

